Fumoto Valve -- Any users -- any horror stories?

Absolutely zero issues with our two (his 2004, hers 2005). Highly recommend. Make sure the lever-arm rests in the "notch" that forces u to lift it up and over in order to rotate for open.

 

Oh no!
I'm the only one who voted "What's a fumoto?"
Now I feel stupid haha.

 

Google fumoto fail, also fumoto leak.

They do occasionally leak. I will find someplace else to reduce my labor other than trusting a single small spring to hold the oil in my engine.

 

Just play it cool, and pretend you know what everybody's talking about. In the time you posted, you could have looked it up...

He's still alive? AND you're just off to pick him up at the airport? Oy.

 

Here's a post from me in 2006 regarding this subject. Since then I've purchased another car and put a Fumoto valve on it.

"The Prius is the fifth car that I've used a Fumoto valve on. That being said it is possible to have one opened on the road. The first car I used one of these on was an 83 Saab. Keep in mind that on the Saab the valve hung a little lower than on all my other cars. Very early one morning (no traffic) I was driving on the freeway and a smallish cardboard box (about 6"x6"x6") blew from the side of the road directly under my car. I Heard it hit the car and then looked in my rearview mirror and saw that it wasn't stuck underneath. About 15 seconds later the red oil light came on, I "knew" that the oil level was fine because I had checked it a few days earlier. Like an idiot I kept driving for another 1/2-1 minute. Then the car started sounding funny and the temp started spiking, so I popped it into neutral killed the engine and coasted down the offramp that was luckily close by. After coming to a stop I opened the hood and pulled the dipstick. Seeing smoke come out of the dipstick tube is never a good sign. When I stuck my head underneath the car I saw that the valve was wide open. My theory is that the box got caught on the lever and was able to slide it past the detent and then swing it open. Even though this happened I chalked it up to a freak event and am still an avid proponent of these valves.

If you're wondering about the car. I closed the valve and filled the engine back up with oil. When I cranked it over to start it made the most horrible scraping/grinding noise I've ever heard. A noise that you never want to hear on mechanical components. But then the engine kicked over, the noise went away and it ran fine. After that incident I put another 50k plus miles on the car. It finally died with a major front suspension failure at 230k miles. All those miles were on the original engine and original turbo."

Jeff

 

I've been using one for perhaps four years with no problems. I'm certainly not disputing you, but I really don't see how it could open from getting snagged on something on the road unless it also gets damaged. Sometimes I have a devil of a time opening it when I want it open.

 

Actually, that Fumoto valve was on my now totalled 2006. I got it from the guy in Indiana that supplies them with Stainless Steel Snap Rings. The ring fits into the groove, keeping the valve operator from moving.

I lubed mine up with Petroleum jelly after each oil change to avoid any bimetalic corrosion.

 

Been using it for over 4 years and love it. The drain is slower but worth the benefit.

 

I installed one on our 2007 Prius six months ago. Fumoto recommends a hose clamp for off-road and agricultural use. While our Prius will probably never see an unpaved road, I added a stainless steel hose clamp as insurance. After reading this forum, I'm glad I did!

The only downside I see with the Fumoto is that it takes longer for the oil to drain. I open the valve when I start and do all of the other checks and change the filter while it drains.

 

Hi pschat friends,
I've started using the Fumoto valves since 1988. My 98 Camry V6, 99 Protege, 2003 Dodge Neon SRX bought at 2005 and my present 2005 Black Gen 2 ,package #6 bought at 2008 all using the Fumoto valve. Wonderful product. Never have any leaking or 'open' happening. It's reliable and easy to install and use. Just the opening a bit small makes the draining take longer time. That's no big deal. Garage floor was clean and without a single drop of oil.

 

I had the same problem with a Fumoto accidently opening a few years ago. I had driven on a gravel road, and then the next morning discovered I had no oil in my engine. The valve was open just the slightest amount, and had slowly dripped all the oil out over night. I can only assume a stray rock had hit the valve just right and opened it. Never had another incident since then, and have driven on gravel roads since, but not often. Other than that incident, I think the Fumoto is the greatest.

 

I had a Fumoto on my '06 Civic Hybrid. No issues whatsoever. I liked being able to drain the oil hot. My wife's '06 Highlander Hybrid has one as well. Never an issue. I am going to order one for the '10 Prius.

 

I added a zip tie across the lever just to keep the lever in place. When I do a oil change I cut off the zip tie and after draining all the oil out, I install another zip tie.

 

No problems with Fumoto valves on both vehicles (2010 Camry / 2011 Prius).

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Both '06 and '14 v have them, no problems.